Test 2 - Reading - Passage 2 · Cambridge IELTS Academic 17 Vocabulary List

the action or endeavor of trying to complete a task or achieve a goal, often one that is challenging

"Failed first attempt."

"His first attempt to climb the mountain failed because of bad weather conditions last year."

to change wild animals or plants for human use or cultivation

"People domesticated wolves into dogs."

"Early humans learned to domesticate wild animals like wolves and goats for protection food and assistance with hunting."

(of food) containing substances that are good for the growth and health of the body

"This fruit is nutritious."

"The nutritious breakfast of oatmeal fruit and yogurt gave her energy for the whole morning and she did not feel hungry until lunch."

the complete set of genetic material of any living thing

"The human genome has many genes."

"A genome is the entire set of genetic material present in an organism"

(biochemistry) a chemical substance that carries the genetic information, which is present in every cell and some viruses

"DNA carries genetic information."

"DNA contains the genetic instructions that all living organisms need to develop and function properly."

pleasing and likely to arouse interest or desire

"The job offer is appealing."

"The idea of a tropical vacation proved incredibly appealing to the weary office workers."

taking place or progressing faster than usual

"It's a fast-track course."

"The fast track program allows talented students to complete their degree in three years instead of four."

not easily affected by external influences or forces

"This fabric is resistant."

"The resistant material can withstand extreme temperatures and it will not melt even in a very hot fire."

safe or suitable for consumption as food

"The mushroom is edible."

"The mushroom is edible and safe to eat as long as you cook it thoroughly first."

(biology) a change in the structure of the genes of an individual that causes them to develop different physical features

"The genetic mutation caused the flower to be white."

"The genetic mutation caused the plant to produce flowers with unusual colors and shapes."

a distinguishing quality or characteristic, especially one that forms part of someone's personality or identity

"Honesty is a good trait."

"Kindness is an important personality trait that makes people like her very much."

introduce anew

"Reintroduce the species now."

"The government plans to reintroduce the bill to parliament after making several significant amendments."

from the point at which something began

"She built it from scratch."

"She baked the cake completely from scratch without using any ready made cake mix or ingredients."

to transfer something to the next generation or another person

"Traditions are passed down through families."

"The valuable antique necklace has been passed down through five generations of women in our family."

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

"The town is sprawling."

"The sprawling city covered hundreds of square miles and it took over an hour to drive from one side to the other."

a legal document that grants permission to do something that is otherwise restricted by law

"Get your driving licence."

"He renews his fishing licence every spring and always carries it with him when he goes to the lake."

creating and enforcing rules or regulations to control or govern a particular activity or industry

"The agency is regulatory."

"The regulatory agency fined the bank for violating consumer protection laws and ordered it to change its business practices immediately."

a long period of time when there is not much raining

"The drought killed all the crops."

"A drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall"

a Latin phrase (or its abbreviation) used to indicate that special attention should be paid to something

"Nota bene means "note well" in Latin."

"The nota bene at the bottom of the page warned readers about an important exception."

in a manner that is related to genetics or genes

"They are genetically related."

"They are genetically related because they share the same parents and therefore have many similar physical characteristics."

better or recommended because it is wise in a given situation

"It is advisable to go."

"It is advisable to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your international flight to allow time for security screening."

to copy the style, technique, or subject matter of another artist or artwork

"She mimics the artist."

"The talented parrot can mimic human speech with surprising accuracy repeating words and phrases it has heard."

within the range of a person's goals, plans, or ambitions

"The promotion is in sights."

"With the promotion now in her sights, she worked even harder."

to grow plants or crops, especially for farming or commercial purposes

"They cultivate corn."

"Farmers must skillfully cultivate the land to maximize their crop yields."

to depend on someone or something for support and assistance

"I rely on you."

"As a new student, she had to rely on her classmates for guidance and support during the initial adjustment period."

causing or involving a grand or fundamental change, particularly leading to major improvements

"It was a revolutionary idea."

"The invention of the printing press was a revolutionary development that transformed communication."

an organism's smallest unit, capable of functioning on its own

"A cell is tiny."

"Each living organism is composed of one or more basic cells."

to cause something to change

"Do not alter the original document."

"The new medication may alter your sleep patterns so take it in the morning rather than at night."

a plant that is grown for food over large areas of land

"The crop is healthy."

"Farmers rotate their crops each season to prevent soil depletion and reduce the buildup of pests that target specific plants."

the provided or available amount of something

"We have a supply."

"The emergency supply of water was crucial during the prolonged drought."

to destroy something completely

"The fire devastated the forest."

"The unexpected death of his wife devastated the old man and he never really recovered from the loss."

a tall plant growing in Central America that produces yellow seeds, which are used in cooking

"Farmers harvested maize during the autumn season"

"Maize has been a staple food in many cultures for thousands of years across the Americas."

the presence of a variety of distinct characteristics within a group

"The city is known for its cultural diversity."

"The city is famous for its rich cultural diversity and harmonious coexistence of different communities."

a genetic variant or subtype of a microorganism, typically within a species, that possesses distinct characteristics from other members of the same species

"This is a new strain."

"Scientists are working to identify and understand the properties of this novel strain of the virus."

to find a solution to a problem, often through analysis, experimentation, or mathematical calculation

"Work out the problem."

"We need to work out a fair solution that satisfies all the stakeholders involved."

a part of a living organism that is made up of cells and is designed to perform a specific function

"The heart is a structure."

"The intricate structure of the human brain allows for complex thought processes and emotional responses."

a chemical compound in plants, animals, or microbes that produces a characteristic color in cells or tissues

"The flower has red pigment."

"Chlorophyll is a vital pigment responsible for the green color of plants, enabling photosynthesis."

to increase or enhance the amount, level, or intensity of something

"This drink will boost your energy."

"Drinking coffee can temporarily boost your energy levels and help you stay focused during work."

able to withstand particular environmental conditions or physiological stress

"The plant is tolerant."

"Certain cacti are remarkably tolerant of arid conditions, surviving with minimal moisture for extended periods."

the point or degree to which something extends

"What is the extent?"

"The full extent of the damage caused by the wildfire is still being assessed by authorities."

the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal)

"The plant has a strange habit."

"The crystalline habit of this mineral is characterized by its elongated, prismatic structure."

not well-known or widely recognized

"He is an obscure writer."

"Despite his groundbreaking research, the scientist remained an obscure figure in the academic community."

used or consumed regularly by many people as a fundamental part of daily life

"Bread is a staple."

"Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries and people eat it with almost every meal including breakfast."

the opinions, activities, or methods that are considered normal because they are accepted by a majority of people

"It is now mainstream."

"The once fringe idea of renewable energy has now become part of the mainstream conversation about climate change."

(of an animal, child, or plant) to grow with strength, health, or energy

"The plant will thrive."

"In the nutrient-rich soil and ample sunlight, the small sapling began to thrive and grow vigorously."

to make information that was previously unknown or kept in secrecy publicly known

"The report will reveal the truth."

"The investigation revealed shocking evidence that completely changed the direction of the criminal case."

a condition in which harmful germs, such as bacteria or viruses, invade the body and cause harm, leading to symptoms such as fever, pain, and swelling

"The wound must be cleaned to prevent infection."

"A nosocomial infection is one that is contracted from the environment or staff of a healthcare facility"

to originate or come into being from a particular source or point

"Problems arise from this."

"New challenges often arise when implementing complex technological solutions in established systems."

to adjust oneself to fit into a new environment or situation

"Animals adapt to their environment."

"Animals must adapt quickly to changing environmental conditions if they want to survive in the wild."

the size, amount, or degree of one thing compared with another

"The map has a scale of one inch to a mile."

"The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale used to quantify the size of earthquakes based on the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by seismographs."

to alter or change the genetic makeup of an organism through genetic engineering techniques

"We can modify the genes."

"Scientists aim to modify the plant's genetic makeup to resist common agricultural pests."

to cause a change in a person, thing, etc.

"Rain will affect picnic."

"The new government policy is expected to affect millions of low income families who rely on public assistance programs for food and housing support."

to develop a particular kind of animal or plant by choosing and mating specific ones to get certain qualities

"They breed dogs."

"The farmer decided to breed a new variety of wheat that was resistant to common diseases."

a tight group of flowers or fruits that grow together on a single main stalk

"The truss of flowers is pretty."

"The flower cluster, a beautiful truss of vibrant blossoms, attracted many pollinators."

to cause someone or something to rise quickly to a much higher level of success, importance, or attention

"The news will catapult him."

"The unexpected viral success of her song is expected to catapult the young artist to international fame."